Iraqi authorities declare return of Christians a national priority

Iraq’s prime minister and Chaldean Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister’s press service

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi has called on members of the Christian diaspora to return to their homeland and help rebuild the country. The government declared support for returnees a national priority and promised to provide families with plots of land for housing.

During a meeting with Chaldean Patriarch Paul III Nona on July 11, 2026, the prime minister stressed that the return of citizens forced to leave the country is a key factor in ensuring stability. The authorities said Christians would be eligible to receive land under a nationwide initiative to allocate one million plots for residential construction.

According to al-Zaidi, Iraq’s strength lies in its ethnic and religious diversity, while Christians are essential partners in building the country’s future. The prime minister also invited Christian entrepreneurs to invest in the development of healthcare and education.

Patriarch Paul III Nona welcomed the initiative, saying it sends an important signal to Christians living abroad and strengthens their confidence in the country.

Meanwhile, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf warned that government appeals would produce no results unless the underlying causes of emigration were addressed. He pointed to the systemic marginalization of Christians, the lack of genuine political representation in parliament and the shortage of jobs. He urged the government to continue its determined fight against corruption in order to restore public trust.

As the UOJ previously reported, Iraq adopted amendments to its legislation that could legalize child marriage.

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